1
Driving & Safety - 2
2014 Holiday Rambler Travel Trailer
Types of Hitches
Weight Carrying Hitch:
A weight carrying hitch relies on the tow
vehicle suspension, axles and tires to support
the added weight of a recreational vehicle. As
recreational vehicle weight and tongue weight
increase, the suspension on the tow vehicle is
adversely affected. Tongue weight will cause
the tow vehicle rear suspension to sag, also
transferring weight from the front suspension
to the rear. This negatively affects front end
alignment geometry, handling and braking
characteristics. Tow vehicle tires must be rated
and properly inflated to support any added
weight while towing.
Ball Mount:
Ball mounts come in various configurations
and weight limitations. Three things should
be considered when selecting a ball mount:
weight rating, pin to ball center length and
rise/drop. The weight
rating of the ball
mount, tongue weight
and tow weight must
meet or exceed the
total load weight.
Pin to ball center
should not exceed
8”. Ball mounts of
longer length will
significantly reduce the
weight rating of the
hitch receiver.
Observe weight reduction percentages that
may be listed on ball mounts longer than 8”.
Selecting how much rise or drop for a ball
mount is relative to hitch receiver height on
the tow vehicle and height of the coupler with
the recreational vehicle level.
Weight-Distributing Hitch:
Weight distributing hitches use spring bars
to absorb and re-distribute tongue weight to
all axles of the tow vehicle and trailer to help
offset tongue weight on the tow vehicle’s rear
suspension. Spring bars are made of spring
steel. They are an independent suspension
component. Spring bars are rated in pounds
capacity. Example, spring bars rated 500 lbs.
are half the capacity of 1000 lbs. spring bars.
Which weight rating to select is best left to
a professional to determine as selection is
determined by tongue weight, tow vehicle
suspension, any additional loads and to some
extent GCWR. Setting hitch ball height
and head angle will determine how much
weight the spring bars will offset. A weight
distributing hitch that is correctly setup should
sufficiently offset tongue weight so the tow
vehicle’s suspension does not vary more than
¾” from its stock ride height.
The spring bars should be parallel to
the trailer frame and tow vehicle and
recreational vehicle should be near level. It is
recommended to have a professional perform
the initial setup. Improper adjustments and
ride angles that are not level can cause sway or
other undesirable towing characteristics.
Sway Control
Trailer sway (fishtailing) is when the back
of the trailer oscillates left and right and can
potentially become quite severe. There may be
one or a combination of reasons that can cause
trailer sway.
Tongue weight – Tongue weight should
be 10-15% of Gross Trailer Weight.
Ensure adequate tongue weight.
Ride Attitude – The assembly of the
trailer and tow vehicle should be level.
Correct as necessary.
Load Balance – The load of the trailer
should be balanced left to right.
Tire Pressure – Check tire inflation
pressure on the trailer and the tow
vehicle. Weigh the assembly (See
Weighing) then adjust tire pressures
accordingly.
Environmental Conditions – This can
be a cross wind, large vehicles (trucks
or busses) passing in the same direction
or opposite direction. Going downhill
can also exacerbate a sway condition
depending on grade, driving style and
road conditions.
If all these factors have been eliminated as
potential causes of sway, there are mechanical
sway control devices available. These devices
affix between the hitch system and the trailer.
Spring Bars
020097
Typical Weight
Distributing Hitch
020314
Содержание 2014 Aluma-Lite
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